NFL Mock Drafts

This is shaping up to be a fun one, with a couple historically significant trades already in the books. Read on and enjoy, and be sure to check out www.walterfootball.com for more great mocks.

1. Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee Titans) – Jared Goff, QB, Cal

Goff sounds like a lock for the top spot. Goff and Wentz don’t seem to have faced nearly as much media scrutiny as Winston and Mariota did last year, despite being inferior prospects to last year’s top two overall picks.

I still find it a bit odd that Philly makes this move without having a 100% guarantee they’ll get their guy. That would make me lean toward predicting a different position, but they simply gave up too much to justify taking a non-quarterback.

3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

While San Diego could benefit from an upgrade to (and just another healthy body on) their offensive line, I think Ramsey is too intriguing to pass up.

4. Dallas Cowboys – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

I continue to see Elliott mocked far too low. He already offers NFL-quality pass protection, which will keep him on the field for more snaps than most rookies earn. Behind Dallas’ front he could be insanely productive.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi

The Jaguars get a bit of a gift in this scenario. Luke Joeckel hasn’t worked out as a pro, and selecting Tunsil would allow them to pass on picking up Joeckel’s fifth year option.

6. Baltimore Ravens – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

The reports on Jack’s knee are all over the place, but I don’t see Ozzie Newsome leaving him on the board unless things are worse than we’ve heard.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Bosa is a beast and will immediately upgrade the Niners’ defense. He excels against the run and the pass, winning with power moves.

After the free agency exodus, Cleveland has truly entered an extreme rebuilding mode. If they can’t stock up on additional picks by moving back again, I think Stanley would be a solid pick. He can step into the void left by Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and eventually take over the left side once Joe Thomas moves on.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Buckner would provide an upgrade over William Gholston, immediately stepping in to bookend Robert Ayers.

10. New York Giants – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

I haven’t been shy with my love for Coleman this offseason. He’s fun to watch and I think the criticisms he’s facing in the draft process are overblown. Playing second fiddle to OBJ in New York, Coleman would continuously eat single coverage alive.

11. Chicago Bears – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Bears significantly improved their linebacker group during free agency. Playing Rankins as a penetrating 5-technique next to last year’s top pick Goldman at nose would create space for those new backers to operate in.

12. New Orleans Saints – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

The Saints seem to have the type of organizational stability that allows you to take chances on prospects like Treadwell. He would give them the big body in the red zone they’ve been lacking since Jimmy Graham was shipped out.

The Titans got quite a ransom to slide down and still end up with an upgrade at tackle. Conklin would likely fit better on the right side in Tennessee, allowing Taylor Lewan to stick at left tackle.

16. Detroit Lions – Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

The Lions really seem to love Butler. With a new GM and scouting department, we only have their reported activities to pick apart for clues instead of documented history. I see a highly versatile lineman who could have quite a ceiling. If the defensive line isn’t addressed here, I’d like to see the Lions add Ryan Kelly of Alabama or Taylor Decker of Ohio State.

17. Atlanta Falcons – Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

Atlanta has a lot of needs on the defensive line. Billings is a crazy strong and surprisingly versatile defensive lineman.

18. Indianapolis Colts – Darren Lee, LB, Ohio State

Lee has rare athleticism for the linebacker position and would be an immediate upgrade for Indy.

19. Buffalo Bills – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Doctson really tore up the combine, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go ahead of this come Thursday night. Buffalo would have an awesome receiver duo combining him with Sammy Watkins.

20. New York Jets – Taylor Decker

The Jets played hardball with D’Brickashaw which, regardless of the team’s motive, led to his retirement. There’s now a big need at left tackle, and the Jets hope Decker is able to step in and start as a rookie.

21. Washington – Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Washington could use an anchor on the defensive line and Reed seems to fit the bill. He is able to control offensive linemen with sheer power.

22. Houston Texans – Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

The Texans no longer have a starter at center with Ben Jones in Tennessee. Kelly is the top center in what’s supposed to be a strong class of them.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

Joseph has gotten a lot of first round buzz recently. He could be dangerous in Mike Zimmer’s defense.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

This wasn’t a situation where I intentionally wanted a player to slide – it just kind of fell this way. I know Lawson could go much higher, but potential medical risks that surface this late in the game don’t usually bode well.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

The knee situation with Smith is a shame. Such an exciting prospect that now could have “career threatening” attached to his injury. The Steelers are a patient organization that doesn’t mind developing talent behind entrenched players.

26. Seattle Seahawks – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

The Seahawks could use a player like Floyd in so many ways. He could easily go higher than this, as it’s pretty rare to find an athlete like Floyd in a body the size of his.

27. Green Bay Packers – Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida

Bullard would slot in as a five-technique in Green Bay. He’s a solid athlete that should feature in a rotation as a rookie and provide pass rushing upside.

28. Kansas City Chiefs – Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State

The Chiefs really need help at guard and Whitehair is projected to change position at the next level.

29. Arizona Cardinals – Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

A thumper in the middle with some plus attributes in other areas, Ragland doesn’t seem as essential in today’s NFL that features so many quick-twitch passing attacks. He would fit well in Arizona’s scheme and could operate more downhill than side-to-side.

30. Carolina Panthers – Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Clark seems to be making a late surge up boards. He would provide Carolina with another penetrating 3-technique to work with Kawann Short and complement Star.

31. Denver Broncos – Chris Jones, DE, Mississippi State

Jones has great length for the defensive line and would be an intriguing fit in Denver.